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Blog: 2015

Staying healthy is crucial for your body, skin, and hair! Today we have some smoothie recipes that are not only refreshing but have several benefits for your hair and skin! Smoothies that will help speed up hair growth include these nutrients: iron, vitamin C, protein, niacin, zinc, and biotin. Keep reading to learn about these delicious summer time treats that we learned about from www.viviscal.com.

Berry and Spinach Smoothie:

Ingredients:

1 cup baby spinach

1/2 cup frozen mixed berries

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/2 banana cut into chunks

1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

3-5 ice cubes

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth/frothy and enjoy! The berries have a great source of vitamin C which will help to keep hair strong and flexible! The spinach provides folate and iron which is crucial for any diet and will promote hair growth!

Mango Strawberry Smoothie

Ingredients:

3 large chard leaves, washed well, tough stems trimmed

1 cup frozen mango

1 cup strawberries

1 cup plain yogurt

1 cup walnuts

1 tbsp flax seeds

1/2-1 cup water

Throw all of the ingredients into a high speed blender. Keep adding water for easy blending and serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for a maximum of two days! Walnuts are packed with omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin E and biotin which are all nutrients that enhance hair growth! Biotin will also help to protect hair from the sun preventing any damage!

Avocado and Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 ripe avocado

2 cups spinach

1 cup organic raspberries

1 cup organic strawberries

2 tbsp chia seeds

2 cups almond milk

Place all ingredients into a blender, blend until smooth and enjoy! Avocado has Niacin which helps to transform carbohydrates into energy. Niacin also improves blood circulation to the scalp bringing oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. This will improve not only the thickness of your hair strands but strengthen your nails as well!

Honey is naturally hydrating so if it's used on skin or hair it will lock moisture! It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties so if you have problem skin honey will be your savior. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. Honey also contains antioxidants which will keep your skin and hair looking fresh! Keep reading to learn about a few ways that you can incorporate honey into your skin and hair care routine!

Maple Syrup and Honey Hair Mask

What smells better than warm maple syrup and honey? How about a maple syrup and honey hair mask! This hair mask will leave your hair feeling soft, moisturized, and super shiny! All you'll need are these few ingredients:

3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon of honey

Start by pouring the ingredients into a container. Place the container into the microwave for about 20 seconds and then mix until it has cooled. Apply the mask to dry/untangled hair avoiding your roots! You may then put on a shower cap allowing the mask to fully absorb for 30 minutes. Lastly, rinse your hair with lukewarm water and a small amount of shampoo. You will smell delicious and your hair will be glowing!

Honey Face Mask

If you are someone who has problem skin then this face mask is just for you! The honey and other ingredients in this mask will help to reduce any redness or swelling that you may have! Your face will feel soft and smell just like honey (I mean this is a honey face mask:).) What you'll need includes:

2 tablespoons of honey

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Start by combining all three ingredients and mixing until you have formed a thick paste. Apply the mask to fresh skin and leave on your face for 30 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water exfoliating in circular motions! Do this once every week and enjoy!

The battle some women have with split ends is never ending. Getting trims regularly will help with this problem, but if you are trying to grow out your hair you may not want to keep cutting it. Today we have two DIY hair masks that can help get rid of your split ends!

Ingredients:

1 avocado pitted and skinned

2 tablespoons of egg whites

3 tablespoons of olive oil

When you mix olive oil and avocado it creates the perfect remedy for split ends! Olive oil will help tremendously with dry/damaged hair. Olive oil helps to moisturize and hydrate your hair making it feel silky and look shiny! Avocado is another ingredient that has several vitamins and nutrients that will promote healthier hair. When you combine olive oil and avocado with egg whites you create the perfect solution to split ends!

Lets get started!

Start by mashing up the avocado until you achieve a smooth consistency. Add in the olive oil and egg white, then mix/whip the ingredients together. You may then cover your hair with the mask and let it sit for 45 minutes-an hour. After, wash out the mask and use a mild shampoo and conditioner.

2. Ingredients:

1 papaya deseeded and skinned

1/2 cup of plain yogurt

Split ends tend to make hair weak causing more breakage and damage. Papaya is full of amino acids and proteins that can help fragile hair become stronger. When you combine papaya with yogurt it creates a mask that will leave your hair feeling smooth and strong!

Lets get started!

Start by cutting the papaya in half scooping out all the seeds and removing any skin with a knife. Mash up the papaya and mix it with plain yogurt until you achieve a smooth consistency. You may then apply the mask to your hair as you would if you were using a conditioner. Let the mask absorb for 45 minutes-an hour. When finsihed you do not have to use any shampoo, just rinse! The papaya mixed with the yogurt leaves your hair feeling extra smooth and smelling delicious!

Maintaining curly hair can take time and effort. Women who have naturally straight hair may have to worry less about frizz, but those who have curly hair might have a tough time keeping their hair smooth and moisturized! Today we have compiled a few tips that will make managing your curly hair a lot easier and leave you with the best results!

Know when to wash: Curly hair tends to be dry which allows you to go a few days without washing which you want to do! When you are constantly washing your hair the cuticles start to open and strip the hairs of their natural oils which will leave your curls looking frizzy and brittle. In this case less is more! We recommend only washing your hair 1-2 times a week and if you need some help with greasy roots just use some dry shampoo!

Use shampoo properly: On the days when you need to wash your hair make sure you are applying your shampoo correctly, focusing on your scalp! When the oils in your hair build up overtime you eventually need to wash your hair! You want to make sure that you are rubbing and cleansing your scalp with your fingertips, essentially massaging the product deep into your roots to ensure that you get rid of all dirt and oil!

Use the right products: Next time you go shopping for hair products make sure you are paying close attention to the labels. Some products are made especially for curly hair! These types of products focus on curly hair and use the right ingredients that will help in keeping your hair moisturized! Also, you want to avoid using any products that have sulfate or alcohol, these two ingredients will really dry out your hair making your curls appear frizzy!

Condition regularly: Using conditioner will help to keep your curly hair moisturized! Even if you are skipping shampoo make sure that you still condition the ends of your hair! You also want to keep up with a deep conditioning routine and oil treatment this will ensure that your hair stays shiny and glossy! If you are someone who has dry ends and frizzy curls this can be caused by the lack of moisture in your hair. You need to maintain a deep conditioning routine or start using hair masks once a week, we have written a few blog posts on different hair masks so check them out below!

Don't dry your hair with a towel: When you get out of the shower your immediate reaction may be to throw your hair up in a towel. Doing this actually causes damage to your hair, rubbing with a harsh towel causes the cuticles to open and make your hair frizzy. Instead gently scrunch your hair with a cotton t-shirt and let your hair air dry!

Let your hair air dry: Put your blow dryer away! If you feel as if your curls look frizzy and dried out when you just let your hair air dry apply leave-in hair products. Products such as hair serums, curl activating creams, moroccan oil, argan oil, coconut oil, etc. will all lock moisture into your hair without damaging it! Damaged hair means dry hair which leads to frizzy curls, so try and refrain from using hot tools when you don't have to!

Don't touch: If you have a habit of constantly running your fingers through your hair try your best not to when your curls are in the process of drying! Your curls will look less frizzy if your just leave them while they air dry.

Don't brush: Brushing your hair will make your curls frizzy! The only time you really want to comb your hair is before you shower and we recommend that you use only a wide tooth comb. When you get out of the shower try running your fingers through your wet hair instead of combing, this will cause less breakage and damage!

Stay away from hairspray/mousse: A lot of women who have curly hair usually use mousse or hairspray to tame their curls. These two products actually contain a high amount of alcohol which will not only dry your hair out but give you the look of crunchy/hard curls!

Only use your hot tools when you absolutely need to: Constantly using heat on your hair will cause your curls to lose their natural shape making them look less bouncy! If you feel that your curls are extra frizzy hot tools might be the cause so refrain from using them every day. If you need to, only use them once a week and for the rest of the days try out different hairstyles such as the top knot or fishtail braid.

It's unfortunate that every day can't be a good hair day, but depending on what products you own and use you can easily turn messy hair into voluminous hair! Today we have a DIY product that will give your hair a ton of volume and texture! The only negative of some hairsprays is the way the product leaves your hair feeling. Some sprays will harden the hair or make it feel/look greasy. If this is true for you then keep reading to learn about this quick and easy DIY!

**There is no need to spend $30 on a name brand hairspray try using ingredients you already own!

The only two ingredients you will need are conditioner and Epsom salt. Chances are you probably have a bottle of conditioner in your shower and it doesn't matter what brand or scent that it is, any conditioner will do! Epsom salt has a number of health benefits which will help to add texture and volume to your hair when applied. If you are someone who uses sulfate free products then this DIY may not work for you since Epsom salt is made up of magnesium and sulfate.

Lets get started!

When you mix equal parts of the conditioner with equal parts of the Epsom salt it creates the perfect fix for flat hair! Stir the mixture until the salt has dissolved into the conditioner. Then you are going to transfer the mixture into a container or jar. Next time you are in the shower work the product into your hair allowing it to absorb for at least 20 minutes before washing it out. Let your hair air dry and you'll quickly notice the volume and fullness!

If you have unfortunately just used up the last bit of your conditioner don't worry we have another DIY for you to try! We have also learned about a DIY conditioner that not only smells delicious but is extremely moisturizing for your hair! All you will need to create this natural conditioner are these few ingredients:

After you have gathered up all of the ingredients place the proper amount into your mixing bowl. You want to then mix on high for at least 8 minutes or until you notice a thick consistency! You may then transfer the product into an old conditioner bottle, container, or whatever you have around your house. This conditioner won't expire until the coconut oil reaches the expiration date stated on the bottle so you want to write that down somewhere! Since it is summer for most of us the heat may melt the coconut oil so we suggest keeping the product in your refrigerator or you can also use the conditioner in liquid form it is totally and entirely up to you! After you are done shampooing and have washed out any excess product apply a tiny amount of the conditioner to the ends of your hair. Avoid getting any of the conditioner on or near your roots that will make your hair look greasy! You want to then leave the conditioner sitting in your hair for about 3 minutes this will allow the product to fully sink into your hair hydrating and moisturizing! All you need to do after is rinse and you are ready to create the DIY hairspray with all the extra product!

Styling hair without using heat can be tricky. Hot tools come in handy when you wake up with a bad hair day, but like we all already know they are damaging to hair. Today we have a few tricks that you should try out that will help you when you want the look of straight hair but don't feel like using your straightener. If you are someone who uses hot tools on a regular basis you may find it hard to stop but since it is summer it's the perfect time to try! Since it is a lot warmer out you probably don't want to wear your hair down anyways so try out some of these tricks and put your hot tools away for this season!

Comb your hair instead of using a blow dryer. The heat from a blow dryer can eventually make your hair brittle and dry if you are constantly using it. Instead of spending an hour blowing out your hair try just using a comb! When you get out of the shower pat your hair dry with a towel and then comb out any tangles. Keep combing periodically until your hair is fully dry. If you are consistently combing it will help to straighten your hair and reduce the amount of wave.

Rinse your hair with cold water. Since it is getting really hot out this trick shouldn't be too hard! After washing your hair with your favorite shampoo and conditioner rinse your hair with cold water. The colder the water the shinier your hair will be! By doing this you will also notice less frizz in your hair, overall making your hair appear a lot straighter.

Apply a milk and honey hair mask. Different hair masks can help with different problems your hair might be having. This particular hair mask will help straighten your hair and tame any curls you may have! Start by mixing 1 cup of thick milk with 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply the mask throughout your hair and leave it in for an hour. After just wash your hair like you normally would, we also suggest using a straightening shampoo and conditioner this will also help!

Section your hair off with soft hair bands before going to sleep. Before going to bed take some time to put your hair into two low pig tails. We suggest using creaseless hair bands or softer hair bands, this will ensure that you don't wake up with any awkward creases in your hair. This will tame your hair while you sleep, so if you're a rough sleeper and tend to wake up with crazy hair this trick will prevent any frizz!

These tricks won't give you naturally straight hair but they will help in controlling messy or frizzy hair overall making your hair a lot smoother!

Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with summer humidity. You can spend hours styling your hair but once you walk outside the frizz is inescapable. In the summer, frizzy hair is most commonly caused by humidity, but during the winter season the frizz your hair might develop is caused by static. Either way we have discovered 5 easy treatments that you can use to prevent the unfortunate side effects of humidity and static! Keep reading to get prepared for those not so fun humid days!

Coconut oil: In previous posts we have discussed the benefits that coconut oil can have not only in the kitchen but on your skin and hair as well! Coconut oil is extremely hydrating and it's also a popular scent especially in the summer time! This treatment involves just applying some coconut oil to your hair, easy right? The oil works like a hair serum adding a lot of moisture so you want to avoid getting any in your roots. Focus mainly on your ends or wherever your hair feels and looks the most dry. You will immediately notice the shine in your hair and the smell will be irresistible!

Apple cider vinegar: This DIY involves no mess or mixing all you need is apple cider vinegar and water (if you don't like the smell of vinegar.) The acidity of apple cider vinegar will help to smooth frizzy hair and also give a healthy shine! This easy one step process can be achieved while you're in the shower. After you have washed and rinsed your hair with a shampoo, pour the apple cider vinegar all over your hair. You want the vinegar to sit for at least 30 seconds before rinsing it out. We reccommend using cool water and then following up with any conditioner!

Avocado and olive oil: Avocado has several health benefits and also hydrating benefits which will work wonders for your hair! You have probably heard of/used hair masks that have avocado and that's because it is a good kind of fatty acid that will help to tame any frizz! To make this mask for your hair all you'll need to do is mash up 1 avocado in a bowl, than add in just a splash of olive oil which is also very hydrating! Whip the mixture together and cover your hair after you have washed with shampoo. Leave the mask on your hair for about 30 minutes and then follow up with a rinse and conditioner! Using a conditioner may help to get rid of any bad scent and it will also make your hair extra smooth!

Egg and olive oil: Eggs are not only a nutritious meal to have for breakfast, they are also naturally moisturizing for your hair! The fats and proteins found in egg yolk and the enzymes that kill bacteria in egg whites will work together to get rid of any frizz your hair has! Start by whisking one raw egg with a spoonful of olive oil, the olive oil will help to lock the moisture in your hair! We reccommend applying the mixture before shampooing and conditioning. Let the mixture absorb for about 30 minutes before rinsing and washing!

Carbonated water: Whenever you feel like you're starting to get sick the first thing you should do is chug a big glass of water! Keeping hydrated is very important especially in the summer and that is why a carbonated water rinse is perfect for your hair as well! The low pH level of carbonated water will reduce any frizz just like apple cider vinegar (minus the funky smell.) So another alternative to getting rid of frizz is rinsing your hair with carbonated water after you have washed with shampoo and conditioner!

Getting highlights professionally done at a salon can not only be expensive but super damaging to your hair. It's officially summer time and not only do we want sun-kissed skin but hair too! Today we have a few DIY natural hair highlighters that will cause almost no damage to your hair and your wallet! Keep reading to find out about these all-natural color enhancers that will keep your color looking shiny and bright!

Lemon juice is a very common highlighter that will work perfectly in the summer! All you have to do is spray the mixture in your hair before tanning out by the pool for a few hours, when you go back inside your hair will look better than ever! We read that when the citric acid in the lemon juice heats up, your hair cuticles open and lifts out the pigment! Not only does this remedy work but it is so easy to prepare! Start with squeezing some fresh lemon into a bottle and then dilute it with water, you want to use 3 times the amount of lemon juice. All you have to do next is spray the mixture throughout your hair and have a relaxing day by the pool or beach!

Chamomile tea is another hair lightener that will develop slower than lemon juice which is better for anyone who is a brunette! Just brew up two cups of chamomile tea, one for your hair the other to sip on! Once it has cooled you can jump into the shower and rinse your hair with the tea. Follow that up with your regular shampoo and conditioner and you will gradually notice a change in your hair color!

Honey is not only a natural sweetener it's also a natural alternative to lightening your hair! Honey can also be deeply conditioning so if you already have damaged hair this might help! Honey contains peroxide which is an effective lightener when mixed with distilled water. If you choose to use this remedy your hair will look lighter, feel softer, and smell delicious!

This might sound shocking but beer is another ingredient you can use to lighten your hair for the summer! The key is to rinse your hair with a light beer. The B vitamins and proteins that are found in beer will also help to repair any damage your hair may already have! Make sure that you wash your hair after applying the beer and you are good to go!

Make sure that you are keeping up with any of these natural lighteners to see the best results!

Whether you just got a blowout at your favorite salon or did it yourself, you want it to last for as many days as possible! We want to share with you some tips that will help your great hair day turn into a great hair week! Try out any of these tips and enjoy your blowout for a couple more days!

Preparation starts before bed this might sound strange but the type of pillowcase that you sleep on matters! Invest in a satin pillowcase because unlike cotton pillowcases they won't absorb the moisture from your hair. If you are sleeping on a satin pillowcase your blowout will stay shiny and smooth which is key in making a good hair day last! You also want to avoid sleeping with your hair down. A lot of women will leave their hair down in hopes that it will look the exact same when they wake up. Unfortunately if you are tossing and turning in your sleep you are going to wake up with some crazy hair! Instead try putting your hair up into a loose bun on the top of your head and secure with a creaseless hair tie (we mentioned these in our Friday Favorites!) This will ensure that you still have volume in your hair when you wake up the next day!

Before getting into the shower twist your hair back into a clip. By twisting your hair you create a barrier for the hairs underneath, protecting moisture. If you own a shower cap or thick headband you might also want to wear either one, this will also protect your hair from getting showered on!

If you feel like your blowout is starting to look a little greasy don't panic! Dry shampoo is your solution to any oily roots or even flatness! Using a dry shampoo will add texture and volume to your hair reviving your blowout and making it look as if you just walked out of the salon! Section off your hair and mist the product underneath your hair focusing mainly on your roots!

These next tips depend on your hair type. If you are someone who has naturally oily hair then using dry shampoo will help to soak up excess oil and give your blowout the volume and lift that it needs. If you have frizzy hair then you want to focus on serums and other moisturizing products that will help smooth out your hair. If you wake up the next morning and your hair looks like a frizzy mess try applying a product such as Moroccan Oil to the ends of your hair!

Don't touch! After you get a blowout the temptation to touch it every five seconds is hard to resist. If you want your blowout to last without it getting too greasy then you need to keep your hands off! Try your hardest to touch your hair as little as possible throughout the day this will prevent any oil from your hands getting in your hair! When you are constantly touching your hair it can cause frizz and even breakage so make sure you don't especially if you want your blow out to last!

Recently we have noticed that there are several different hairbrushes being sold in stores. Choosing the right hairbrush is difficult if you don't know the benefits of each type. You may think all hairbrushes work the same, but while researching we learned that there are a variety of brushes and combs being made for certain hair textures and styles. Today we want to help anyone who gets overwhelmed in stores when they see a million brushes and don't know which one to buy! Keep reading to learn which brush you should be purchasing!

The Paddle Brush: This brush is the most popular and you probably already own at least one! This type of brush is flat with a wide surface area which is great to use for straightening and smoothing your hair! If you want your hair to look straight and sleek use a paddle brush before using a flat iron or blow-dryer. This will leave a smooth finish and reduce any frizz your hair has. You can also use this brush when you want to add any volume to your crown!

The Round Brush: Round brushes are perfect to use when you want extra volume and body. If you have gotten a blowout professionally done in the past you may have noticed that they always use this type of brush. So, if you are constantly blow-drying your hair at home definitely purchase one of these! Round brushes come in a variety of sizes, if you want the look of tigher curls choose a smaller barrel, if you want a straight but voluminous blowout purchase the larger barrel. You definitely want to own at least one or two round brushes to add bounce and shine to your blowouts!

Teasing Brush: Nobody likes having flat hair that is why the teasing brush is a necessity! This brush is made for teasing and will create texture which is perfect for any hairstyle. Purchasing a teasing brush that has a point-ended handle will also allow you to section your hair perfectly which is a total plus! If you are someone who has fine, fragile or damaged hair you might want to put your teasing brush away. Teasing your hair will just add more breakage so work on revitalizing your hair before using one of these!

Wide Tooth Comb: If you have just gotten out of the pool, ocean, shower, etc. then you want to be using a wide tooth comb to tame your wet hair. Wet hair is probably the most difficult to manage, your hair is also more likely to break when you brush it while it's wet. That is why it is very important to be as gentle as you can on your wet hair. Using a wide tooth comb and starting from the bottom working your way up will cause little damage to your hair!

Detangling Brush: You can easily recognize this brush because it is sort of shaped like an egg. The detangling brush is designed so that removing knots and tangles is much easier and a lot less painful! If your hair is knotty using this brush will prevent less damage and breakage. Most of these brushes can be used on wet and dry hair which makes it a perfect beach bag essential! The detangling brush is perfect to bring with you when going to the beach or pool this summer!

The Rat Tail Comb: The rat tail comb also has a point-ended handle which can be used to section your hair with precision giving you the perfect part! You want to use this for backcobming which can add volume to your hair. If you don't own the teasing brush this comb is the alternative to use!

Choosing the right hairbrush is easy when you know your hair type and style! Try out any of these brushes/combs and let us know what you think!